San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-05-11
WEDNESDAY, MAY II, 1887.
THE OTHER REPUBLIC.

The City of Mexico has in contempla-
tion gigantic system of drainage by
which the lands within and adjacent to
the capital, which are now the abode OF
fever and malaria, will be rendered
healthful and hsbitable. The general
feature of the work Is a gigantic canal
some thirty miles in length, with a
depth of sixteen feet, the sides sloping
at an angle of forty five degrees. The
most difficult part of the work will be
the tunnels and viaducts through which
and over which to carry the canal to its
terminus. The canal will commence at
the Garita of the San Lazaro and joins
with the present TeXcocO canal, which
will form a part of the system and be
deepened to the level Of the grand canal.
The City Of Mexico standing in basin,
with lakes at a higher level than the
city, the water from these perCOlstes
the soil and seeks the lower level. There
is one large lake below the city level and
over which Mexico is actually built In
to this all the drainage and sewerage of
the city practically discharges itself.
This basin in which the city is situated
can only be drained by tunneling
through the rim OF higher ground
which encloses the city and finding the
lower level of the ground beyond, This
it is intended to do in this instance.
There will be immense bridges to carry
the roads and railways over the canal;
water gates and aqueducts to provide
for and regulate the waters of the valley
streams and canals, and finally
the tunnel, which will be six miles
long, Thirteen feet 10 diameter,
with road way along its surface
well graded and its ends slOPed. The
work was projected long ago and about
mile Of the canal has been dug. The
plans are all complete, but II requires
more engineering vim than Mexico APP
pears to possess to complete the vast
work proposed. The undertaking is "a
gigantic one. 1t was undertaken by the
Mexican government under the direction
of board Of public works, but was not
successful. An English firm then Sc
cured contract for the job but soon
abandoned 1t. Bids have again been
called for and some enterprising Cali
forDians who reside in the city have
made their estimates, which will proba-
bly, be accepted. The price proposed is
SS,4OO,OOO, and the only contingency is
some proposed change 10 the plans which
may modify the character OF the work so
as to increase the cost. By the compile
tion Of this immense work, the most
difficult part Of which will be to provide
for the waters which come rushing down
the deolirites OF the Mexico basin, the
city OF the Aztees will be completely
drained. Her sanitary condition rend-
cred as nearly perfect as possible, her
sewerage system be unequalled, and the
city made one of the most healthy spots
on the entire continent. The work. If
undertaken, will be under the direction
Of VIM. III. HUMPHREYS, formerly city and
county surveyor, and who is deeply in
terested In carrying it out. With this
Improvement, and the expenditure Of
$4,OOO,OOO in Vera Cruz hsrbor, the City
Of Mexico will take rapid strides for
ward, and challenge our own Southern
capitals for the commerce of half a con-
tinent.